Photos

"Here's another shot of him...just before he ripped the pitch from the crux (still well above him in this photo) and nearly wiped out Lydia (aka the Pocket Russian) belaying at the base. Rick walked away."

Most popularly top roped, a lead was attempted on this impressive flake/face in 1988/89. With L.Pankiher (aka "the pocket Russian") belaying below, R. Piggot blew off the crux high up on the route, ripping out his gear and grounding, nearly taking out his belayer! Rick miraculouly walked away from this fall and was soon back up on the route hanging off hooks to drill two bolts for the upper section. Story and Photo: BVB collection / L.Pankiher

An incredible Woodson offwidth roof! BVB..."That be me, burning my one and only solo lap on that thing. Scaaaaary. To my knowledge, Tom Lindner and Piggot are the only two guys who've done it straight-in as an offwidth. That is to say, they're the only two guys who've lead it. If you undercling it, you're either tr'ing or soloing.....
Photo: Brian Bailychrome

Description: Another legendary California mystery hardman from the 70's and 80's, Rick's gig was soloing Woodson 5.12's and El Cap spook routes. Here's Rick leading the massive Undertow Roof at Mt. Woodson, circa mid 80's. Like many Woodson rarities and obscurities, it's likely this route has not seen a chalk mark in 15 years.

Anonymous hardman (aka bvb), in full mid-70's hairfarmer mode, hiking an obscure V6 Woodson highball, circa 1978.
But enough about the route and the burly skill clearly in evidence...let's check out those threads!
for today's bouldering outfit, our hero, clearly willing to take the most outrageous fashion risks, will be sporting a pair of Haines long underwear, neatly paired with a "tighty whitey" wifebeater tank top and cleverly accesorized with a pair of dainty powder blue corduroy shorts. grey sweat socks provide a firm anchor for the loose cuffs of the long undies, ensuring they don't ride up on those big woodson high step moves -- an often feared fashion faux pas to be avoided at all costs.
rounding out today's sporting ensemble will be a length of green 2" tubular webbing, cleverly color coordinated with bob's green RR's (at the time, one of the few available alternatives to eb's) and a home-made chalkbag supported by a $2.35 cent eiger oval beaner looped through the webbing.
yes ladies and gentlemen, fashion-forward style sense like this comes along once in a generation...thank god...

Look for a trail that branches left (west), immediately off the trail that drops down on the left side of the Phd boulder. Descend and traverse back west along the slope following the least path of resistance. This will drop you on top of the Undertow boulder. A two bolt anchor is visible.